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SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jim Lee, President and Chief Operating Officer, Stater Bros. Markets and
Vic Chiono, Vice President Sales, West U.S., Coca-Cola Refreshments,
will be inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational
Foundation Hall of Achievement on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at the
Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, CA.

“This year’s inductees are true icons of our industry”

The Foundation’s Hall of Achievement was created in 1993, and recognizes
California grocery retailers and suppliers who have contributed
substantially to the advancement of the grocery industry.

“This year’s inductees are true icons of our industry,” said CGAEF
President Ronald Fong. “Their unwavering dedication to the success of
our industry, and their unselfish and devoted commitment to the
communities they serve make both individuals worthy recipients of this
year’s award.”

Jim Lee - Stater Bros. Markets

Jim joined Stater Bros. Markets as Group Senior Vice President of Retail
Operations in 2002, bringing to the Company over 30 years of supermarket
experience. Headquartered in San Bernardino, Calif., Stater Bros. is a Fortune
500 company, and the largest privately owned supermarket chain based
in Southern California with 167 stores, nearly $3.8 billion in annual
sales, and over 18,000 employees.

Jim began his grocery career with Ralphs Grocery Company in 1972 as a
clerk’s helper. He was promoted to various positions during his 25 years
at the Company including: Store Manager, District Manager, Vice
President of Store Operations Administration and Vice President Store
Operations, Northern Division and Southern Divisions. His last position
with Ralphs was Group Vice President of the Central Division.

Prior to joining Stater Bros., Jim was President and Chief Operating
Officer, from 1996 to 2001, of Wild Oats Markets, Inc. based in Boulder,
Colorado; which at the time, was the second largest chain of natural
foods supermarkets in North America, with annual sales of over $1
billion. During his time with Wild Oats, he helped the company “go
public” and oversaw a 600 percent increase in sales.

Vic Chiono, Coca-Cola Refreshments

Vic Chiono is Area Vice President of Sales for Coca-Cola Refreshments,
with responsibilities for the Central and West United States. Vic has
been in sales and sales marketing for over 36 years, just completing
over 26 years within Coca-Cola, holding numerous sales and management
positions.

Vic got started in the grocery industry at age 10 sorting bottles and
sweeping the parking lots of his father’s Safeway store. He worked
through high school and college as a checker and shelf stocker. After
graduating from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in
Business Administration, Vic started his career by joining Unilever as a
sales representative selling food, health, and beauty products to 135
retail stores.

In 1987, after obtaining several management positions within Unilever,
Vic joined Coca-Cola where he has enjoyed a successful career selling
all Minute Maid, Gold Peak, Simply Beverages, and juice drink products.
Most of his sales background has been working with retailers throughout
the United States. From 1996 to 1999, he shifted his focus to the Food
Service division establishing Minute Maid products as a staple in
restaurants, theme parks, and hotel chains.